“I have a lot of young, dynamic plans to help NPP become more powerful than even our presidential candidates. The party must become very strong, like what happened in South Africa, Jacob Zuma did not have power over the ANC,” Kankam Boadu said after inspecting progress of a culvert construction at Kwesitenten near Nsawam which links communities in the Nsawam Adoagyiri and the Upper West Akyem districts.

“I want NPP to become one of the strongest political entities that will move the party forward into the next generation but for now, we are going analogue. I want us to digitize our thinking to help NPP become one of the strongest parties in the country.”

Among other plans, David Kankam Boadu who has mooted the idea of the party establishing a commercial bank, said such an enterprise can provide tailor-made financial support for party youths to establish businesses and build a hopeful future for themselves, families and dependents.

Again, he said he would want to see the New Patriotic Party set up national youth empowerment programmes to train party youth across the country in skills acquisition. “I believe that our I/D Card, NPP I/D card is not benefitting anyone. It ought to be an ATM card with added value benefits. That is the way to be progressive.”

Who is David Kankam Boadu?

“I’m seeking election as national chairman of the NPP not for my personal benefit. I want to uplift the NPP to where it ought to be. I’m asking delegates not to vote for persons but for ideas. They should not vote for me because I am David Kankam Boadu, they should vote for me because of the ideas and plans I have for the party.”

Asked what he thinks his own chances are in the race that has so far recorded two other interests, (current Ag Chairman Freddie Blay and former flagbearer aspirant, Stephen Ntim), David Kankam Boadu said he counts on delegates to give him the mandate based on a contest of ideas.

The 54-year old NPP stalwart is a founding member of the party, and is currently a Director of the Milton Keynes African Centre (MKAC) in the UK, President/Founder of the African Youth for Progress NGO. He was spokesperson for the late ex-Vice President Aliu Mahama.

Kankam Boadu (right) during his interaction with a section of the people at the site of the construction work

Culvert constructionHe said the site for the construction of the culvert is most prone to floods, and each heavy downpour sees the communities at Maame Dede cut off from accessing the main road linking the Nsawam Adoagyiri and the Upper West Akyem districts.

He, therefore, galvanised owners of businesses in the locality, including the Windmill Industries’ Kwame Adade, to come together to finance the project.

“It shows strength in unity. This project is not about how much it costs, it represents what we can do for ourselves if we unite and put our resources together. We need to do more for ourselves and not wait till things get out of hand,” he stated.

DCE and assembly member

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Mr Eugene Sackey, the Constituency NPP Chairman, Mr F.A. Rockson, and the Assembly member for Daman Electoral Area, Charles Yaw Dadabo, were all full of praise for the initiative and said it was timely, coming ahead of the rainy season.